Charles Leclerc ahead of Monaco Qualifying: Confidence is not at the highest level at the moment

The Ferrari driver topped FP1 around the streets of Monte Carlo before ending FP2 second fastest, just over a tenth behind team mate Lewis Hamilton. The pair favourites for pole position. Red Bull's Max Verstappen also remained firmly in contention, setting up what Leclerc expects to be an intense three way battle for pole.

Despite the encouraging pace, Leclerc admitted Friday had been far from straightforward: "It was a very difficult day. We're facing quite a few issues on the brakes on my side, so we're trying to fix those. The confidence is not at the highest level at the moment.

"Apart from that, it's a track I love, and I'm sure that if we manage to fix those [issues] for tomorrow, it will be a good step forward. Unfortunately, it's been since Canada that I'm struggling a little bit on that. We're trying to find solutions, I hope we do for tomorrow, and if so I don't doubt that we will do a step forward."

The brake concerns have lingered for several races and remain Ferrari's primary focus heading into Saturday. Monaco's unforgiving layout demands complete confidence under braking, making the issue particularly significant around the tight and twisting street circuit.

Nevertheless, Leclerc remains optimistic about Ferrari's chances: "Max has been very strong, Red Bull have been very strong, and Lewis has been very strong as well. At the end of the day, it's not been a disastrous day.

"We were very close to Lewis in FP2, so I'm not so worried, but it's going to be a tough Qualifying. For sure, it's going to be very tight. If we do a step forward with the brakes, surely it can help us for the fight for pole," added the Monaco Kid.

While Ferrari appeared among the frontrunners throughout Friday, team principal Fred Vasseur was unwilling to read too much into the timesheets. The Frenchman stressed that Monaco is one of the most difficult weekends: "I don't care about this kind of approach or rumours. We have to do the job. It's a very long way in Monaco from Friday, first to the quali, then to the race.

"The most difficult [thing] is that you have to anticipate the evolution of the track, the evolution of the grip, and you have to be always one session ahead. This is a real challenge for the team and for the drivers."

Ferrari are in Monaco carrying high expectations after showing encouraging form at recent races, but Vasseur insisted qualifying will provide the first meaningful indication of where the team truly stands: "It means that it's still a long way [to go], and we'll see tomorrow evening [after Qualifying] about the real pace."

Hamilton's strong Friday performance also pleased the Ferrari boss. The seven time F1 world champion has steadily improved his understanding of the SF26 in recent races: "For sure, it's important, and it's important for the competitiveness of the team. The momentum is good, but most important is that the momentum will be good tomorrow evening."

With Ferrari showing genuine pace, Hamilton and Leclerc separated by little more than a tenth, and Verstappen lurking close behind, Saturday's qualifying session is shaping up to be one of the closest pole position fights of the season.

The 72nd edition of he Monaco Grand Prix, is Round six of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
(Reporting by Agnes Carlier in Montreal)